Wednesday, August 08, 2018

Interesting user-driven survey of Worlds Adrift, the single-shard MMO now in beta that we've talked a lot about on New World Notes. What emerges from the 342 responses by users in the game's subbreddit is that it's very much a virtual world where user-generated content and avatar expression are valued by the early userbase (which typically establishes an online world's culture well before it officially launches). 62% have at least tried using the game's Island Creator, while 1 in 5 have submitted the island they created for publication in the world itself.

That 20% of the early userbase have created and published 3D content is quite impressive -- eerily in line with the rule of thumb (based on the Pareto Principle) that in any user-generated platform, about 20% of the userbase will actively engage in content creation.

Related data points: A strong majority (79%) put a premium on the importance of exploring the world, while a solid majority value the importance of avatar clothing (57%). Again, this suggests most of the early Worlds Adrift userbase treats the game as a world worth exploring in itself (as opposed to just being a platform for competition), and their avatars as extensions of their creativity and personality (as opposed to just being a "toon" they use for competing).